Shortly after I gave birth to Mikko Vincenzo aka NoodleLito, we were given a book that introduced us to Montessori's holistic, self-paced, and experiential approach to learning. We were blessed to have been handed down quite a significant number of educational toys to help a child's development, so we actually didn't spend much for NoodleLito in trying to teach him to embrace multi-sensory learning. We even jumped at the opportunity to start him on Your Baby Can Read as early as 3 months old. Looking back, I think this is why he has a penchant for learning and singing songs in different languages. He still enjoys listening to classical music because of Baby Einstein and he has turned out to be a very good reader (and talker!).

Be that as it may, my husband, Michael aka NoodleBoy, and I decided to enroll him at our alma mater. Fast forward to kindergarten, we hit a bump in the road when his neurodevelopmental pediatrician suggested he undergo occupational therapy because he had motor issues mainly with writing and even suspected dyspraxia. But because of early intervention, that greatly helped NoodleLito reach his milestones in a timely fashion. Nonetheless, the good doctor recommended that we pull him out from conventional school and get him on a Montessori program. Alas, we didn't... yet. But we heeded the doctor's advice that one of us needs to be constantly looking after the child and to let go of his Yaya because it was somehow hindering his growth and independence.

Having completed our primary and secondary education from a conventional school, my husband and I thought the same experience would be good for NoodleLito. On the contrary, it wasn't. His focus and concentration became constant challenges and the way his brain was "wired" clearly wasn't meant for the traditional method. He excelled in his little ways on his own but not quite what the norms expected, so he didn't quite "shine". It was then when we realized we are only limiting his potentials by stubbornly continuing to do so. I already feel a bit guilty by encouraging NoodleLito to use his right hand for writing when in fact his dominant hand is really the left one. We feel that he is becoming ambidextrous now. Is that a good thing or is he getting more confused? Will this cross-dominance hurt his brain or boost his brainpower? Who knows? And I digress.

Now even before Covid reared its ugly head, we were already shopping for homeschool providers. We searched high and low and by that, I mean all over the internet, in NoodleLito’s best interest. Months later, what we were looking for was just right in front of us –OrmocHoly Trinity Montessori Academy. I remember sending Teacher Jane a message on Facebook sometime in November 2019 with an inquiry. I was informed that their distance learning program was for special cases only and she explained the home-like setup of the school and the learning approach at length which I was utterly grateful for.

Then 2020 came and hit us like a tidal wave. Homeschool was no longer an option as it became the reality. With all its uncertainties unfolding and the pandemic-related unknown, part of me still felt like everything was also falling into place. We were lucky to be admitted to OHTMA where there is but a limited number of students that can be accepted in a school year. We were probably one of the earliest to be enrolled because the family was truly excited about this new adventure. So excited that we just absolutely ran with it! Get in the program, do all that we can, and give it our 100%! Yes, our family has never felt so alive and so united.

Just a few months in, we saw NoodleLito literally transform in front of our very eyes. Not just because he's grown so much but it's almost like he's spreading his wings for the first time. He started to show his talents more, amazed us with all sorts of trivia and general information that he picked up by himself, and discovered kinesthetic learning to boot! It's like we've begun to unlock his potentials and he is well on his way to "self-regulation". Without so much academic pressure, NoodleLito is much happier, much more willing to explore and crack the books (or in this digital age, surf the web for infinite learning), and we can see his brilliance finally shining through.

Academic Achiever Award, Creative Thinker Award, Word Whiz Award, Punctuality Award, Character Merit Award, Word Smart - Multiple Intelligence Award, Science Month - First Place Young Scientist Award, Scouting Month - Best in Backyard Camping, Scouting Month - Best in Map Reading, English Month - Best in Family Short Story Role Play, English Month - First Place in Poem Writing, Family Christmas Tree Decoration, Christmas Quiz Bee - Second Place, Mathematics Month - Geometric City First Place (Elementary), Mathematics Month - Ipon Challenge Third Place (Middle Elementary), Family of the Year AY 2020-2021

So in conclusion, I may be what one would call a stage mother, a soccer mom, or what have you but honestly, I'm not like that. I'm just here to support our NoodleLito in absolutely any way I can along with his dad and his grandparents. With the help of our dear Trinitarian faculty and following the Montessori approach, I believe that NoodleLito can live a more meaningful life, be more accountable for his actions or take more responsibility, and be able to listen to his feelings more. With this partnership, I believe that together we can bring out the best in NoodleLito. I definitely encourage every family out there to look into this lifestyle, mindset, and upbringing.

Thank you, Ormoc Holy Trinity Montessori Academy, for giving us the honor to be the Family of the Year AY 2020-2021!

In light of the current events for Miss Universe 2021, I would like to apologize to Miss Canada, Nova Stevens, in behalf of all those ignorant Filipinos leaving nasty comments. There is no excuse for this display of toxicity.

You have lovely skin and you’re glowing! I wish you luck during the pageant and continue to be the beacon of light to show these sad Pinoys that beauty isn’t just limited to skin color. 

Some Filipinos just don’t know any better. Honestly, in my experience growing up, we’re all taught and shown that fairer skin is more beautiful. I, for one, have used countless Block & White lotion and bleach when I was a teenager in high school and college thinking having that “whiter” shade of pale will give me a competitive edge… in school, in life, and in my future career. Boy, was I wrong! 

When I had the opportunity to travel to the US after graduation, it was only then that I started to celebrate my true color because everyone loved my golden skin! I wonder when the Philippines would stop overly promoting all these whitening products all the time. It's 2021, let's shift focus to clean beauty. I mean, it’s not wrong to enjoy a bit of collagen here and there with some other antioxidants to make you feel good and be healthier. I know Glutathione is good for us, too. The whitening is just a side effect and I don’t hate people for using it. In fact, my best customers love our Glutamansi soap from Savon Ormocana! It is still our #1 best-selling soap but I don't promote it for whitening per se but more for exfoliating dead skin cells and making your skin look vibrant naturally!

But color shaming… tsk tsk tsk. That's a different story. Come on, people. That’s just so wrong. No one is stopping you from reaching that ideal color if that's what makes you happy. I'm all for it! No one should dictate you how to be happy but just remember that when you get other skin problems and skin disorders, then you’ll see that melanin and pigmentation become the least of your worries. 

By the way, I'm proud to be a shade #23, natural beige to medium/tan and I go down two shades during the summer. How about you? What's your skin color?

One of the things in my bucket list is to see the cherry blossoms in Japan or Korea. Thanks to COVID-19, I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon. Thankfully, there is a variant of Cherry Blossoms in the Philippines (aka balayong). These are the Palawan ones (Cassia nodosa x Palawan Cherry) and we have some of these trees here in Ormoc City.

🌸 Cherry blossom season is fleeing; the beautiful burst of white and pink Sakura blossom erupts just as quickly as it returns to dormancy, allowing only a span of 3 to 4 weeks for us to enjoy their beauty. Despite the fear that runs rampant at present, they are a lovely reminder that we should enjoy life because it is fleeting. That’s what makes it so beautiful. So, go out there and appreciate the air, the sunshine, and the blossom. 🌸

It’s pretty fun to see them bloom once a year. They might not be as scenic as the ones from other countries, but here’s hoping they’ll plant more of these here so we get an abundance of blooms each summer. Those ones above can be found just behind the Ormoc Doctor’s Hospital, while the one below is in my sister-in-law’s front yard.

So, I just flipped a new page and added another chapter in my life. I’m grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. Life is like being on a swing: ups and downs but always a good time! 

The rope reminds us there’s always hope. When you’re up, you know you’ll get low. So, keep pushing yourself forward to rise again! Happy birthday, self!

I did beauty blogging as a hobby at first after giving birth and I felt like doing something different (or probably it was my way of coping up with postpartum stuff). So, I took the whole beauty thing seriously and became a pro at it after I helped organize a Personal Makeup Workshop by a good friend of mine, Jessa Horca, who is a really good makeup artist from Ormoc City but was Cebu-based back then. This happened in 2013.

From then on, it was a whirlwind of makeup for www.bastaigatsikat.com, my previous blog that was dedicated to beauty and other reviews. I worked with major brands and did honest reviews for products I bought myself to try and wrote feedbacks and recommendations. Then big brands from the beauty industry took notice and PR people started contacting me especially having been a part of the now-defunct Nuffnang Gliteratti bloggers in the Philippines. Basically, I became a guinea pig of sorts. Don’t get me wrong as I loved every minute of it! Then I hosted my own personal workshops and advocated that beauty is self-confidence applied directly to the face!

I also had the fabulous opportunity to be a part of Avon's Makeup Council and I flew up to Manila for a workshop with Lauren Andersen, who is the MUA of Madonna, Jessica Alba, Ginnifer Goodwin, and many other Hollywood stars, Here's a screenshot of my old blog featuring that event.

As with all things, the learning never stops and I also had a chance to attend Tita Fanny Serrano's workshop! Yayyy!!! It was such a blessing because even though I loved wearing Mac, it also broke me out and I had some reactions to some of their products. FS Cosmetics is geared towards Filipinas and honestly, I prefer using it over "imported" or US brands. Mas hiyang ako!

Aside from learning how to apply makeup properly, doing those countless reviews allowed me to do in-depth research about how cosmetics are made and their various formulations. Since no two individuals have the same skin and even if we got the same skin type, we all react differently, so it's always trial and error really. All these experiences led me to create my own brand and formulate my own skincare products because I have really troublesome skin and no amount of 10-step Korean skincare or high-end products ever did justice to me. 

Right now, I'm still continuing to experiment because it's partly due to my hormones that I haven't fully addressed yet. But so far, my very own PUGONG SA EDAD moisturizer that I formulated for my skin has been doing well for myself and some friends that have been using it as well for the past year or so. 

I have a couple more beauty and skincare products up at Savon Ormocana that are all made with love in pursuit of clean beauty, with no harsh chemicals and with natural ingredients. From lip tints to eyebrow pomade and deodorants, you can check them out for yourself and let me know what you think. If only I had enough time and money to spend for R&D, I know I'd be able to create a lot more. I actually went to DOST pre-Covid to apply for assistance and they already came to inspect my manufacturing process. I just didn't get the chance to follow that up because of travel restrictions, etc. I guess, all in God's time or when the stars align. 

Another thing to note when it comes to the pursuit of clean beauty is starting from within. Skincare and beauty products can only do so much. So, you have to look at your diet and your overall health basically. One thing that helps me especially now that I'm middle-aged is the addition of a collagen supplement. It's expensive but if you have extra to spend, why not? I'm actually using the Bloom skincare line as well and I will do a proper review about it in the coming months, so watch out for that if you're interested. 

As a beauty blogger, I learned that expensive isn't necessarily the best and the cheapest options aren't really the worst. As a consumer, you have to do your own research and look at the ingredients carefully. Just because celebrity A or influencer X is endorsing this or that, it doesn't mean it's guaranteed to work for you, too. Like I said, we all have different skin and you just need to find the one that works for you. Also, you have to consider the product's sustainability, animal cruelty/testing, as well as the eco-friendliness if you're concerned about those things as well. That's what clean beauty is all about. Choosing products that are non-toxic and use plant-based ingredients. Basically, it's safer for the people and safer for Mother Earth.

One of the reasons why I created a different blog is because I wanted a new space to demystify green beauty and detoxify my beauty routine. Ultimately, I'm here to continue writing reviews and sharing my personal experience, but I'm also hoping that I can help educate people through this platform. Remember: It's your money, so it's always your choice.

Say hello to the new Daily Essentials Enrollment Set with Sweet Aroma Diffuser for the month of April 2021! Yes, ladies and gents, you can now ditch the toxins in your common products and jumpstart your wellness lifestyle without breaking the bank today! Ain't it the sweetest deal? 

Ever since Young Living opened their market for the Philippines, they have been offering promos such as this that are targeted at people who aren't keen on splurging for the Premium Starter Kit... yet. Just remember, amazing deals and promos like this don't last long and are typically gone sooner than you think! So, GET IT NOW before it's sold out!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE & GET GOOD DEALS ON THE STARTER KIT BUNDLES.

For me, I think the Daily Essentials Kit is targeted at people who #WorkAtHome and who very much need that #WorkLifeBalance. So, this one's for us!!! Because I know for a fact that the struggle is real and that’s why we turn to the versatility of nature for an extra boost to our daily needs! 

As a work-at-home mom (and remote worker for over 14 years), I always have to get that Work-Life Balance sorted, for both my family and for my own sanity. Now, are you in need of sorting that out, too? No worries! Check out these 5 must-have essential oils that are included in the Daily Essentials Enrollment Set that will target your everyday needs:

🌿💦 R.C. 15ml - Missing fresh, clear air of the great outdoors? Place a few drops of this rejuvenating blend in your diffuser to breathe with ease or place drops on your mask before heading out!

🌿💦 Thieves 15ml - Keeping clean doesn’t need all of the unpronounceable chemical ingredients! Cleanse and purify any space from unwanted toxins with one of our most powerful cleansing blend. Infuse a few drops to your household cleansers and see the difference!

🌿💦 Peppermint 15ml - When #WorkIsLife, have Peppermint handy to banish Zoom glooms! Its cooling, focusing and energizing properties when diffused or applied topically will jolt you up to power through the day!

🌿💦 Lavender 5ml - Make your #SanaAll moments come true! Take a quality break from time to time and enjoy a sense of peace as you diffuse this relaxing oil. You can also mix this into your skin care routine to achieve that healthy #BeautyGlow that you’ve always wanted.

🌿💦 Lemon 5ml - In need of a mood booster? Take this bottle of sunshine and let its zesty drops uplift your mood any time of the day! Always remember that a happy you is a healthier you!

Reach out to me, leave a comment, or send an email and I'll gladly get back to you to help you maintain a healthy and happy Work at Home lifestyle. If you need help ordering at www.mariaoilbularya.com or if you simply need someone to talk to about oils, work, and life in general, you know where to find me and our amazing #TeamOilbularya community.

Thanks to the one-month PS Now subscription for $1 Promo, we finally got the chance to play Little Nightmares. I really wanted to play this game first before jumping to the recently released, Little Nightmares II, which is supposedly a prequel. So, it just makes sense to finish this one first. The story is really interesting and the game truly did not disappoint. 

First of all, it's the stuff nightmares are made of. As a fully functioning adult, I still don't like getting chased and in this game, you need to run away from your enemies. The adrenaline rush is real but didn't have as many jump scares as I anticipated. If you don't like cramped spaces, dark rooms, and leeches, well, good luck trying not to hyperventilate. The puzzles were not so difficult though and I was lucky that while I streamed the game, the viewers were very helpful with their comments and tips. 

Here are the gameplay videos if you're interested. I finished it with the help of the kiddos, NoodleLito and Ysrielle. How long was the Little Nightmares game? We completed it in 5.5 hours, more or less.

If this were made into a movie, I'd watch it. It actually looked like a Ghibli-inspired movie with how the characters were drawn and the background and all. Even the Nomes that scurry around reminded me of those soot sprites that carried the coals in the boiler room in Spirited Away. I bet the newer Little Nightmare II's graphics will be even better and I can't wait to play it!

The story from what I gathered (NO SPOILERS!) is that Six, the character you're playing, is trying to escape this crazy and scary place called The Maw, where you try not to get caught by monsters in the form of the long-armed Janitor, Twin Chefs, and carnivorous guests to name a few. She also has weird "hunger" pangs. Anyway, you just need to play this game so you can appreciate it, too. I do recommend playing it and finishing it in one go since it only has six chapters. Enjoy!

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